TSHUSICK-an Ojibway woman-McKenney&Hall-published 1855 Start Price USD 125.00 Current Price USD 125.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, July 23, 2008 End Time Saturday, August 02, 2008 Location san francisco, CA See more about 'TSHUSICK-an Ojibway woman-McKenney&Hall-published 1855' Description TSHUSICK, AN OJIBWAY WOMAN is a hand colored lithograph taken from the bound volume "HISTORY OF THE INDIAN TRIBES OF NORTH AMERICA, volume 1",  written by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall, published in Philadelphia in 1855.  The hand watercoloring was done by J.T. Bowen.   These lithographs were taken from the original oil paintings which were displayed in the Indian Gallery in the Department of War, in Washington.  The exhibit was later sent to the Smithsonian Institute where the entire collection was destroyed in a fire in 1863.   The lithograph is accompanied by an entire chapter of text which tells  only a  fragment of  her life.  That text will be included at no extra cost to the successful bidder.   It is striking to see the boldness, the subtlety, and the singleness of purpose with which Tshusick carried herself in this story:  In the winter of 1826-27, on a cold night, an ill-clad, way-worn female knocked on the door of the residence of Colonel McKenney, then Commissioner of Indian Affairs in Washington. The Colonel invited her into his home, and saw before him a young woman, with a ragged blanket around her shoulders, a pair of man's boots, and a pack on her back.  She stated that she had travelled from Detroit on foot.  In reply to questions designed to test the truth of her story, she named several gentlemen and mentioned circumstances about their families which were known to be true.    She said that she had recently lost her husband, and that she attributed his death to the anger of the Great Spirit.  She knew that the red people did not worship the Great Spirit in an acceptable way, and that the only true religion was that of the white men.  She had immediately set out to find the chief magistrate of the white men's religion in order to convert, as if unwilling to receive it from anyone but the most elevated.   Colonel McKenney immediately received his visitor under his protection, and secured her in a comfortable hotel.  Tshusick was then introduced at the presidential mansion.  She established herself as a great favorite among the Washington elite.  There was nothing about her that was coarse or common-place.  Her manners had the unstudied grace, and her conversation the easy fluency of high refinement.  So agreeable a savage has seldom, if ever, adorned the fashionable circles of civilized life.   In keeping with her request, the Reverend Mr. Gray, Rector of Christ Church, in Georgetown, immediately called to see Tshusick.  On being introduced to him, she inquired whether he spoke French, and requested that their conversation might be held in that language so that they could enjoy privacy.  He then pronounced her a fit subject for baptism, and accordingly that rite was administered.   When the time came for Tshusick to depart, she was not allowed to go empty handed.  Her kind friends in Washington loaded her with presents.  Mrs. Adams, the wife of the president, besides the valuable gifts which she gave her, entrusted her with a variety of articles for her young relatives.  She departed burdened with the favors and good wishes of those who were highest in station.   After her departure, a letter was received from the Governor of Michigan, commenting on the character of Tshusick.  The Governor, highly amused at the success of the lady's adventure, and in compliance with the request of his friend, stated what he knew of her.  She was the wife of a short squat Frenchman, who worked as a butler in the house of the Indian agent at Mackinaw.  Her husband was supporting her absence without leave with the utmost resignation.  Her love of adventure had more than once induced her to separate for a season the conjugal tie:  she was a sort of female swindler!  She had travelled the whole vast extent of the northern and northwestern frontiers, and many places in the interior.  Her last and boldest attempt was a masterpiece of daring and successful enterprise, and will compare well with the most finished efforts of the ablest impostors of modern times. CONDITION--EXCELLENT--SOME MINOR FOXING--READY FOR FRAMING DIMENSIONS--6 3/4 BY10 1/2" PLEASE RETURN IF NOT ENTIRELY SATISFIED     Place a Bid!